Incidence of choroidal malignant melanoma in Finland in the years 1973-1980

Abstract

Recent reports concerning the incidence of choroidal and ciliary body melanomas have raised a suspicion of an increase of this malignancy in the developed countries. The rapid rise in the incidence of melanoma of the skin is well known. This study covers the incidence of choroidal and ciliary body melanomas in Finland over the years 1973-1980. A total of 382 cases of intraocular malignant tumours were reported to the Finnish Cancer Registry. 285 choroidal and ciliary body melanomas were found. The age-specific incidences showed a steep rise from the age of 30 to the age of 70. The peak incidence was in the age-group 70 and over. There was only one case, a girl 12 of age, in the age-group 15 years and younger. The age adjusted incidences showed no significant increase during the study period. The age-specific incidence showed no significant difference compared to a previous study. Sex, laterality or latitude were not found to be risk factors.